The Perfect Shoe - Behind The Scene Part 2

Want to know how to design the perfect shoe? Well you’ve come to the right blog. We are going to delve into the world of design with the Head of Design at Lola Ramona – Christina Hanquist Ebbesen.

Q- Where do you start with your design process?

CE- We begin by deciding on how many small collections we want to make for the season, for example, last season we chose to do three to four small collections which would amount to 1 whole season. We then divide this into delivery months so that we can release new shoes throughout the year. Once this has been done we can begin the design process.

I begin by sketching the different construction categories; flats, heels, open and closed toe. After I have decided on the silhouettes I begin playing with the colours and materials and find a theme for each small collection. I create a total view or line sheet of the collection and from this I can focus on the minor details of each design and link all the shoes into one main theme.

Q- What is the most important thing to consider when designing a shoe?

CE- The season is the biggest consideration, what time of year the shoes will be launched dictates the comfort of the shoe and the materials that can be used. For me, it’s so important that the designs can appeal to moods or feeling of the people wearing them so the shoes can really become little pieces of art that you carry on your feet

Q- What, or who, are your influences when it comes to Lola Ramona?

CE-I have always liked the hybrid between art and design. The border between contradictions. Some artists which I find very interesting are:

Some designers or brands which I find very interesting are Jeremy Schott (Moschino), Alessandro Michele (Gucci), Olivier Rousteing (Balmain)

Q-Do you design differently for vegan shoes versus leather shoes?

CE- Yes and no. Yes because, for example, season AW19 we made a one capsule collection “The Ultimate Wild Vegan Collection”, here I worked with only snake skin pattern but in vegan material highlighting the contradiction between vegan and animal.

Then no, because some styles simply cannot be made with vegan materials, for example kid suede cannot be replaced with a vegan material without compromising the look of the design. Having said that this could lead to a new style being created with a different look that is vegan, so this is why I say yes and no.

Q-What is your favourite design to date?

CE- That’s a tough one, there are too many seasons and too many designs, I have too many favourites. I do have a shoe coming out next season that I am absolutely in love with. Maybe we can give the guys a sneak peak of that?

Your wish is my command Christina! Here is a sneak peak of Christina's favourite shoe due to be released in November 2019, I think you will agree it's absolutely gorgeous!